UAE-based GMS Offshore Contractors is introducing a new class to its fleet, to further expand the business.
The S-Class will be a new self-elevating, self-propelled DP2 jackup barge, bridging the gap between the firm’s existing smaller K-Class and large harsh weather E-Class jackups.
It will be a harsh weather barge, but smaller, cheaper and more utilitarian than the larger E-Class, Duncan Anderson, CEO at GMS, told OE during SPE Offshore Europe. The S-Class will be aimed at use for well services in the oil and gas market and for offshore wind farm maintenance in northwest Europe, Middle East, South East Asia, and West Africa.
Anderson said there is a demand for units larger than the K class, but not as large and requiring as much man-power as the E-Class. After six years talking to clients, the S-Class was designed to meet those needs. “We have designed a workhorse,” says Anderson.
The S-Class will have DP2 and be able to operate in up to 65m water depth. The jacking system will be based on a two layer system with a 90 ton per pinion load. The unit, with four thrusters (two 1000kw and two 800kw) and four 1250kw generators, will have 800sq m deck space, a 150 ton main crane, and 15 ton auxiliary crane, and will be able to accommodate up to 150 people.
GMS plans to order three S-Class units, with options for a further three.
GMS is also investing in its existing fleet. Its third E-Class, GMS Enterprise, is due to enter service next year, taking the fleet to 10. GMS Enterprise, capable of working in up to 85m water depth, will have a 400 ton main crane and 60 ton auxiliary hoist.
The company’s main focus is on maintenance programs, well servicing and offshore wind, mostly on long term contracts.
A key area in the Middle East is brownfield work. GMS works on the prolific Zakum oil field, northwest of Abu Dhabi and producing since 1968. Anderson says, to date, Zakum has only produced about 8% of its reserves. Two GMS barges have been working on the field for the last 14 years.
Recent investment has been the result of a takeover by Abu Dhabibased Gulf Capital in 2007. At the time, the company had just three jackup barges. It now has nine, as well as an accommodation barge and two anchor handling vessels.
Of the K-Class barges, four operate off Abu Dhabi, two off Saudi Arabia and one offshore Qatar. The two E-Class units are working in northwest Europe. Since August last year, GMS Endurance has been working for ConocoPhillips on the “V fields” in the southern North Sea on an asset life extension program. The second, GMS Endeavour, has been working offshore Germany on the Dolwin wind farm transformer substation. OE
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